Stocking Ideas for a 2 foot tank (fish and plants)

newbie here so appreciate all the advice given.

currently have the following in my tank:
2 pink danios
2 leopard danios
1 black molly
3 Guppies

standard multi coloured gravel - looking to upgrade to a black or darkish brown substrate.
standard corner filter - will we changed to something more appropriate/as advised
spider wood and some rocks.

I am looking to change the substrate and add some real plants, can you guys give me some pointers as to what plants to use. I was thinking java moss on the spider wood, what would be the easiest tall species to start with.

Can I put bolivian rams or blue rams into a 2 foot tank?

 

Not with what you have in the tank already

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So I have spoken to a local fish store and they are happy to take all my little guys and rehome them

 

If you really want a planted tank, I would try seting that up and make sure it is running well before adding fish . I know I just thew in fish with my newly planted tank and im in constant fear for there lives .

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This the thread I created im sure youll find it helpful.

Need help

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Thanks so much, I will give it a read

 

Ok so all my fish are in quarantine at my LFS.
If all goes well I will be trading them for some plants and will be setting up the "new" tank by this weekend.

 

Thinking of planting some Java moss, Java fern/amazon sword and dwarf baby tears if I can find some.

Seems like the above plants are decent beginner/low tech plants.

Are there any easy plants I can use to add a little more colour.

 

With your setup...the Java's will work (moss and fern)

Amazon sword wont...as it's a root feeder. So you'll have to get nutrient rich substrate, or at least some root tabs. I wont recommend it anyway...as it will grow way too big for a 2 footer.

Dwarf baby tears/HC is NOT a beginner plant, dont know who told you that. You will need strong lighting AND compressed CO2.

Personally...If I were you...I'd go buy some PFS (Pool Filter Sand). In bulk...you gonna pay R100 for 50KG at Builders Warehouse. I'm sure you can get smaller bags at pool shops. LFS will charge you and arm and a leg for the same product...just repacked.

Low light plants that can thrive in tank with inert substrate (as they shouldn't be planted, but rather tied to rocks, wood, etc):

• Anubias (there are loads of different ones, I alone have almost 20 types)
• Ferns (Java, Windelov, Needle leaf Java, Java Trident, Bolbitus)
• Bucephalandra
• Variety of mosses

Some stems you can try that gets their nutrients out of the water column...so root tabs wont be necessary

• Hygrophila (Stricta, Difformis, Angustifolia, etc)
• For some colour...try Ludwigia Repens
• Water sprite

 

I am being biased, nut I would get two nice fancy looking goldfish, why not Ryukins?

 

Substrate will be changed to Flourite Black if that helps.

 

Yes black do ever so nicely display the colours of goldfish.

 

definitely not goldfish :tongue:

 

Then you can add root feeders like swords or crypts as well.

Just be careful with flourite black, if remember correctly it has quite a lot of copper in its mineral composition. Which can be deadly...if you want to keep shrimp

 

I am going to ask a dumb question, but do you need a CO2 system with the plants you mentioned? I want to make my 500 liter tank, a planted tank but it doesn't have sand, it has small gravel. Will it work? I just set it up yesterday (moved my fish from another tank.) The gravel I have is not enough, so I need to get some more today but don't want to get gravel if I just need to replace it for plants later on, I'd rather then buy pool filter sand. I have parrot fish, tiger barbs and tetras. I know people say no plants with parrots, as they are cichlids who like rocks, but mine love the plants as they use it as hiding place. I have plastic plants at this moment but I am struggling to find some really long one that stretch almost to the surface and does not cost the price of a small car, as it is 60cm high. I'd like something that grows well.

 

If you want to get very technical...ALL plants need CO2, as it's a key part of photosynthesis. But to answer your question...the plants I mentioned above don't need pressurised CO2 systems, just dont add an airpump to your tank...

Try and see if you can get Vallis from your pet store...it grows long (over a meter) and grows quickly...also shooting off multiple runners

Thing with parrots isn't If they like plants or not...it's how destructive they can be. They can't rip plastic plants to pieces...live plants...whole different story

 

Yeah what I meant was a CO2system for extra CO2. I'll check for Vallis. My parrots are very friendly and not destructive at all, they use the plastic plants as their hiding spots, though I've read they might eat the live plants. I've decided to give the planting thing a go in my 3ft 80 liter tetra tank first and see how it goes, tackling the 5ft 500 liter straight off the bat with live plants for the first time might be a bit too much to handle.

 

And so the process starts again



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Started dosing with prime and stability. Hopefully I can get out to look for some plants tomorrow.

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Day two. Some plants added.